Binding post



Aug. 25, 1942. A H, H EBY 24,293,719

BINDING POST Filed Aug. 19, 1941 wnlllllv mn uil/111111 QIlIIHIIIIIIi-l) lll///1m\\\\\\\\` INVENTOR HUGH I-LEBY .Byemowl ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 25, 1942 BINDING POST Hugh H. Eby, Jenkintown, Pa., assignor to Penn Electric Development Corp., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 19, 1941, Serial No. 407,413

3 Claims.

This invention relates to binding posts.

It is among the objects of the invention to simplify the construction of binding posts; to provide a resilient automatically gripping binding post of excellent contact-making efficiency; to provide a binding post of the utmost of simplicity and economy of manufacture; to provide a binding post of three parts locked against separation so as to be manipulatable as an assembled unit; to provide a binding post and associated washer by which the post can be mounted on a metal panel in insulating relation thereto; and many other objects and advantages Will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

In carrying out the invention in a preferred, although purely illustrative embodiment of a binding post, there is provided a relatively xed base having an external peripheral groove in which terminate both ends of a diametric crosschannel or bore in communication therewith, and from at least one intersection of the diametric channel and the peripheral groove, a longitudinal groove or recess extends to one end of the base. The base is further provided with an external axial recess in the upper end to receive a compression spring. A cap is slidably disposed telescopically upon the base, having a transverse portion engaging the spring and having at least one longitudinal rib of restricted length terminating at one of the pair of diametrically aligned holes or apertures and engaging and arranged to slide in the longitudinal groove with the inner end of the rib arranged to abut the surface above the peripheral groove as a stop. The diametrically aligned apertures or holes of the cap are arranged for alignment with the diametrical channel only during conditions of greatest spring compression when the cap is telescoped down on the base, and the cap is arranged to move telescopically resiliently away from the end of the base to cause the holes to move out of registry with the diametric channel vand thus to resiliently engage a wire extending through the holes and crossbore in shear to clamp same to the binding post.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this description:

Fig. 1 represents an exploded diametric perspective of the three elements comprising the unit binding post after the cap has been deformed for anchoring purposes.

Fig, 2 represents a vertical or longitudinal section through the completely assembled unit in the inoperative position relative to wire connectors, and showing an insulating washer mounting for the unit in a metal panel, shown in fragmentary section.

Fig. 3 represents a similar view of the unit mounted on a modified fragmentary insulating base or panel portion with the parts of the bindposts in electrical series, or the like.

ing post unit in wire-connector-receiving relative position and with a wire shown in fragmentary elevation partially in the registering holes and the cross-channel or bore of the parts.

Fig. 4 represents a section on the line 4 4 3 of Fig. 2.

'Washer of Fig. 2, with the stud extension of the lower surface shown in dotted lines.

Referring to Fig, 3, the fragmentary panel II) may be of any desired sort and illustratively, in

this particular figure, is of an insulating material either bored or drilled to receive the screw II, or arranged tobe pierced thereby. Screw II may be in electrical contact with a sheet metal strip I2 or connector I 3 as will be clear for purposes of placing two or more binding The base lil of the binding post hasa central axial bore I5 arranged, preferably, with internal threads so as to receive the bolt or screw II for the .purpose of anchoring the base to the panel I0. `A washer 9 completes the assembly of screw,

panel and base. The outer periphery of the base i4 is substantially cylindrical, and it is divided into an upper head portion I6 and a lower skirt portion I3 by an intermediate external peripheral groove i7, preferably extending completely around the base. A diametrically extending bore I8 of substantially the same diameter as the width of the groove Il, preferably, extends internally across the base to intersection with the peripheral groove, with its open ends disposed in the groove and of such diameter as to receive Wire connectors of the plurality of sizes customarily contemplated for the binding post. Various gauges of Wires from a maximum determined by the diameter of bore I8, to something much finer are contemplated for anchoring engagement in the binding post. The base is further characterized by the fact that at least one, and preferably a pair of longitudinal recesses or channels 2l! and 2l are formed in the external surface I9 from the free end 22 to the peripheral groove I'i in alignment with and intersecting the open ends of the transverse bore I3. The intersection of the bore I8 with the peripheral groove I1 and longitudinal groove 20 or ZI forms a stop or shoulder 23 in alignment with and in effect overhanging both of the respective longitudinal channels 20 and 2I. In the head end of the base I 6, an axial bore or recess 24 is provided within which a compression spring 25 is disposed.

A movable or cap portion initially comprising a purely cylindrical open-ended barrel 26, has the diametrically aligned apertures 21 and 28 and is also provided with a closed end 35 arranged to abut the coil spring 25. The movable element may include a permanently attached decorative or insulating cap end 3I such as of Bakelite or the like although this is not essential. The inner bore of the cylinder 26 is such as to have sliding guided engagement relative to the head I6 and skirt I5.

The parts so far described are preferably assembled in axial relation until they have been pushed together to the degree indicated in Fig. 3, at which time a crimp is placed in at least one and preferably on each side of the telescopic cap 26, extending longitudinally as at 32 and 33, causing the cap to possess internal longitudinal ribs 34 and 3E, such as will iit in and be slidably guided in the respective longitudinal grooves 28 and 2|. As the ribs formed by the crimping are at the bottom of the respective holes 21 and 28, the upper edges, 35 and 3l, of the respective ribs form stop-abutments which engage the fixed base stops alined with the longitudinal grooves to limit the outward motion of the cap under the influence of the expanding spring 25, as indicated in Fig. 2.

It will be clear that instead of the symmetrical disposition of longitudinal grooves and ribs in duplicate, an asymmetrical arrangement is available using a single impressed guiding rib in cap 25, as the close fit of the cap would secure practically even sliding of the cap on the base, although the balance and convenience of the diametrically spaced guide ribs in duplicate is preferred. rIhe wire 29 is inserted laterally through the registering holes 2'! and 2S and the channel I8 while the cap is depressed and the spring compressed. Release of the cap permits the stop abutments 35 and 3l on the ribs 32 and 33 to be forced against the under side of the wire 29 by the spring 25. The upper surface of bore I8 and especially the xed shoulder or anvil portions 23 thereof are engaged by the upper surface of the wire and the latter is clamped tightly on both sides of the binding post. If but one rib is used, then the other, unribbed side causes the wire to be engaged between corners or edges in a tight shearing engagement, as will be clear.

An interesting and important feature is to be observed in Fig. 2, in that an insulating-Washer or adapter is provided to mount the binding post on a metal panel. The washer 4d has an upper axial recess 4I which is generally annular and of a size to receive the end of the binding post base I4 and having at least one and preferably a pair of diametrically spaced radial lugs 42 and 43 arranged to enter into the respective longitudinal grooves or recesses 25 and NZI if both are provided. The washer has a central axial bore 44 and a lower lug #i of oval or other non-circular outline. The latter ts in a corresponding opening 46 in a. metallic panel 4l.

rIhe base of the binding post is either tapped for a screw or bolt as in Fig. 3, or is provided with a rigid axially extending stud 48 which extends through the hole or bore 44 of the washer 4U and through an insulating washer 5B overlying the hole 45 in panel 41 and the end of stud 45, and engaged by a nut 5I to anchor the assembly together. If desired a connector I2 and lead I3 may be attached, as will be clear. It will be understood further that the stud 45 will be of a length not greater than the thickness of sheet metal 4l, although it may be shorter than that thickness with propriety.

The ease of attachment and use, and the simplicity and eiiciency of the binding post will be clear.

I claim as my invention:

1. A binding post comprising a base, a cap telescopically mounted on the base, a spring operatively disposed between the cap and base tending to urge same telescopically apart, said base having a transverse bore, and said cap having a pair of apertures arranged to align with said bore with the cap and base in one telescopically adjusted position of the parts, said base having an external longitudinal groove extending toward an end of the base from and intersecting th'e surface termination of the bore on one side only to form a shoulder overhanging the groove, and said cap having an indented longitudinal rib extending from one of said apertures toward an end with the rib arranged to engage and slide in said groove forming a stop adjacent to its intersection with the said aperture to limit the separating movement of the base and cap.

2. A binding post comprising a base, a cap telescopically mounted on the base, a spring operatively disposed between the cap and base tending to urge same telescopically apart, said base having a transverse bore, and said cap having a pair of apertures arranged to align with said bore with the cap` and base in one telescopically adjusted position of the parts, said base having an external longitudinal groove extending toward an end of the base from and intersecting the surface termination of the bore on one side only to form a shoulder overhanging the groove, and said cap having an indented longitudinal rib extending from one of said apertures toward an end with the rib arranged to engage and slide in said groove forming a stop adjacent to its intersection with the said aperture to limit the K separating movement of the base and cap, and

said base having a peripheral groove with which said bore intersects at both ends, and the upper stop end of the rib arranged to abut the upper surface of the peripheral groove to form said stop.

3. A binding post comprising a base having a longitudinal groove in its outer surface of appreciably shorter length than the length of the base, said base having a transverse bore to receive a wire, a cap telescopically mounted on the base having a pair of wire-receiving apertures and an indented rib' of shorter length than the cap, resilient means operatively disposed between the cap and base urging them telescopically apart, said rib being slidably disposed in said groove to permit a restricted telescopic relativ motion of the cap and base in one relatively adjusted position of which the apertures substantially align with said bore, the rib and groove cooperating to prevent relative rotation. of the cap and base and also to prevent separation thereof, said base further being provided with a peripheral groove with which both the longitudinal groove and the transverse bore have communication, the surface of the peripheral groove opposite to the longitudinal groove comprising a stop with which the end of the rib engages in one telescopically adjusted position of the cap and base.

HUGH H. EBY. 

